Reflection for Sunday August 22, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?  

 It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who would always attend Sunday Mass then all of a sudden he stopped attending Holy Mass. When he was asked why? He said this:  “I cannot believe that the ordinary bread and wine is the Body and Blood of Jesus.”   After not attending Holy Mass for a long time He felt emptiness even if he was materially wealthy. He therefore decided to attend Holy Mass again and he felt well and good from thereon.    

Do you believe the claim of Jesus that He is the Bread of Life? Many of the followers of Jesus were scandalized about his pronouncements that He is the Bread of Life. That whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35). 

After detaching themselves from Jesus they subsequently returned to their former way of life. Possibly it was a life of sin and emptiness, they chose to regress rather than to progress with Jesus. Why did they walk away? It was influenced by their unbelief towards Jesus. 

Those followers who chose to walk away missed the golden opportunity to know more about the Lord. They also missed the chance to witness more miracles from Jesus. What else did they miss? They were deprived of Jesus daily abiding presence, protection and guidance. 

Those who walked away simply did not believe and they saw it fit to just trust on their own understanding. Than have faith in the pronouncement of Jesus. This is what ails many of us: We trust more in ourselves than have faith in the Lord.  

Are you also walking away from the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas